SRINAGAR, Held Kashmir: In occupied Kashmir, a complete shutdown, marked by curfew and other restrictions, is being observed on Sunday against the killing of top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Sabzar Ahmed Butt and 11 other youth by Indian troops.
All shops and other business establishments are closed while traffic is off the road. A two-day strike is being observed across the Valley from today on the call of joint resistance leadership comprising Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik against the killings and use of brute force on civilians by troops. The leaders also called for a march to Tral on Tuesday to pay tributes to Sabzar Ahmad Butt and other youth, martyred by troops in Pulwama and Baramulla areas, yesterday.
Meanwhile, curfew and other restrictions have been imposed in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Islamabad, Gandarbal and other districts of the territory. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, ordered strict curfew especially in Kralkhud, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safa Kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma, Batamaloo and Nowhatta areas of the city.
The authorities also ordered closure of schools and colleges in Srinagar and other parts of the territory on Monday in view of protests against the killing of Sabzar Ahmad Butt and 11 other youth. Mobile and internet services were suspended on Saturday afternoon, a day after authorities lifted a month-long ban on the social media. This is the third time this year that authorities suspended internet services.
On the other hand, the authorities have placed almost all Hurriyet leaders under house arrest. Syed Ali Gilani continued to remain under house arrest at his Hyderpora residence, while Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been placed under house detention at his Nigeen residence. Other detained leaders include Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Laya and Hilal Ahmed War.
